As Colorado enters life with Secure Communities, Rhode Island exits stage left. Less than a day after taking office, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chaffee signed an order getting the state out of the federal 287 (g) program (which is similar to Secure Communities).

Just hours after his swearing-in as Rhode Island’s 58th Governor, Lincoln D. Chafee this week signed a repeal of the Executive Order on E-Verify, which former Governor Donald L. Carcieri signed into law in March 2008. Governor Chafee also directed the Rhode Island State Police (RISP) to withdraw from its memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal immigration enforcement body. RISP Superintendent Col. Brendan P. Doherty has agreed to support and uphold the Governor’s directive.

“This repeal of all parts of the Executive Order on E-Verify will effectively turn the clock back to March 26, 2007, the day before then-Governor Carcieri signed it into law,” Chafee said. “This re-set will allow us to engage in a comprehensive dialogue with our immigrant communities, law enforcement agencies, and all interested parties. This is an opportunity to reach a consensus on how best to enforce the law,” Chaffee said in a press release.

Governor Chafee signed the Executive Order before an audience of more than 150 at Providence’s International Institute, a non-profit institution that provides educational, legal, and social services to immigrants and refugees throughout Rhode Island and southeastern New England. Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts and Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis were among the observers.

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About the Author

Scot Kersgaard

Scot Kersgaard has been managing editor of a political newspaper, editor and co-owner of a ski town newspaper, executive editor of eight high-tech magazines (where he worked with current Apple CEO Tim Cook), deputy press secretary to a U.S. Senator, and an outdoors columnist at the Rocky Mountain News. He has an English degree from the University of Washington. He was awarded a fellowship to study internet journalism at the University of Maryland's Knight Center for Specialized Journalism. He was student body president in college. He spends his free time hiking and skiing.

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